In a significant move intended to streamline the process of rebuilding in fire-devastated Lahaina, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) has implemented measures to expedite approvals while still safeguarding critical historical and archaeological sites. This news comes after a destructive blaze tore through Lahaina, leaving the area's historic districts severely damaged and local residents eager to rebuild their lives and businesses.
Key to the new approach is a proposed system of sensitivity maps that would guide property owners in identifying areas where human remains (iwi) and other historical or archaeological items are likely to be found. Jessica Puff, SHPD Administrator, explained on the Office of the Governor website, “There isn’t a lot of built environment left. So, the main thing that we’re talking about, is how can we move projects forward quickly while doing our due diligence to keep an eye out for any archaeology, or more importantly, iwi (human remains) that may be revealed during the construction process.” These maps would help predict potential encounters with sensitive sites, enabling a swifter review process by the division.
The initiative sees SHPD collaborating with Maui County and other state agencies to establish a "filtering mechanism," which would identify projects with a low likelihood of encountering iwi or other significant artifacts. Such projects would not require SHPD review, which should notably reduce the number of projects under the division's scrutiny, focusing only on those with higher sensitivities.
Currently, some permits have experienced delays due to the detection of iwi on adjacent properties or the county flagging them for other concerns. Nonetheless, SHPD has been able to complete certain reviews in just days or up to two weeks. As mentioned on the Office of the Governor website, Puff emphasized the effort to speed up the process, “We are completing some reviews in a manner of days of 1-2 weeks and we’re communicating directly with applicants, as needed, to help walk them through the process and how to submit their projects to us in completed form.”
